Many of my friends are self-confessed tech addicts whose desks often resemble a scene from the Jetsons – complete with mobile phones, tablet computers, netbooks, laptops, desktops and things with buttons which I would not even be able to name. They will rush off to buy the latest gadget with the enthusiasm that I reserve for anything with polka dots.

I could feasibly be called a hardware luddite, but with more demand for each new technological advance, it seems that many of us could well be sufferers of "shiny object syndrome". This is a term coined by Kate Gerry, who works with small businesses to help them get the right systems in place. She told the BBC: "It's so important to be clear on the strategy of why you need something and what you want it to do – don't just get pulled in by the bright, shiny object."

This seems to be a tough challenge for us, even as individuals, to conquer. So how can small business owners know what is right for their company when it comes to technology? Sara Murray, founder of price comparison site Confused.com, says: "With limited resources and often too much choice, working out what to do about IT can be a minefield for SMEs."

John Antunes, from business software firm SAP, told the BBC that the three things small firms should be thinking about are affordability, ease of use, and whether or not the technology actually fits the business.

But how can small businesses implement these suggestions? Which technology requirements are the most pressing? For example, should you be focusing on website design, data security or mobile technology as a priority?

To answer all these questions as well as giving personal advice on any technology-based issues you are dealing with as a small business owner, a panel of experts will be joining us on Wednesday 29 August between 1pm and 3pm for a live technology advice clinic. Join us then for information, tips and suggestions on how to make the most out of all the exciting new gadgets out there – without being blinded by the shine.